Context

The report examined the importance of the role of pharmaceutical companies in ensuring human rights for all people, including SRHR. Assessing access to medicines, products, and services supporting safe pregnancies and births, creating access to effective, safe, and affordable contraception, and treatment for different sexual and reproductive diseases are essential components of the Universal Health Coverage and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Product delivery

Pricing strategies and key types of access strategies were included in this part of the report. Although the quality of access strategies varies across countries and products, low-income countries face a gap in access to medicines, especially for non-communicable diseases. The report suggests companies tailor access strategies to overcome country-specific barriers to access that support low-income patients.

Capacity building

The report analysed company capacity building in relation to SRHR-related diseases and health needs. The report found health systems strengthening initiatives relating to health systems, supply chain, manufacturing, and research and development, and equitable pricing are the most common way that companies address SRHR issues. Companies can improve their strategy by establishing more comprehensive access strategies in low-income countries.

Inclusive business models

The report examined the companies that engaged in inclusive business models that address SRHR-related diseases and health needs. Seven of the 44 locally available SRHR related products had an inclusive business model for women’s health in 2021. The companies that engaged in inclusive business models are AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Gilead, Johnson & Johnson, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer and Roche. Half of the SRHR inclusive business models target maternal health, while the others cover various diseases.

Next steps

The report provides recommendations to pharmaceutical companies on what they can do to ensure women and girls in low-and middle-income countries have access to the SRHR-related products they need. The report recommends that pharmaceutical companies invest more research and development (R&D) for SRHR-related diseases that are underrepresented. They also recommend that Companies focus on supply chain capacity for SRHR products in specific areas including demand forecasting, improving infrastructure for storage and delivery of medicines, and building capacity in LMICs to develop medicines and vaccines for SRHR-related products.

Overall, this special report provides an essential guideline for pharmaceutical companies’ responsibilities and roles in promoting SRHR rights and reducing SRHR-related diseases and health needs in women and girls in low-and middle-income countries.